Statutory appellate remedy preserved as Supreme Court directs fresh merits review free from prior observations.

The Supreme Court disposed of the special leave petition with liberty to the petitioner to pursue the statutory appellate remedy within the stipulated time. The appellate authority was directed to decide the appeal on merits independently, without being influenced by the impugned findings or observations. The operative effect is that the petitioner retains access to the statutory appeal process, and the merits of that appeal must be considered afresh by the appellate forum.

---

---

Outcome: The special leave petition was disposed of with liberty to the petitioner to avail the statutory appellate remedy within the stipulated time, and the appellate authority was directed to decide the appeal on merits without being influenced by the impugned findings or observations.

---